Potato promoter Bill Schwabe was 83
Potato promoter Bill Schwabe was 83
William Henry Schwabe, who for 12 years worked as potato promoter for the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, died Feb. 17 in Pueblo, CO, following a three-year battle against lung cancer. He was 83.
According to CPAC Board Chairman Tom Ford, Mr. Schwabe was respected for his contributions to the potato industry during his period as "man on the road" for the committee in the 1980s.
"Bill visited retailers for us, promoting our potatoes. He was very personable and very good at what he did," Mr. Ford said.
CPAC member Jim Tonso concurred, saying, "Bill and Carl Shock did an excellent job for us. Bill was a most pleasant man, and he helped us a lot at our restaurant show in Denver."
Mr. Tonso continued, "He covered the entire southern United States, from Arizona to the East Coast, and he did a terrific job in helping the San Luis Valley grow. I was exceptionally happy with what he and Carl did for us."
After graduating from Tulsa [OK] Central High School, where he was active in the Eagle Scouts, Mr. Schwabe hitchhiked to Fort Collins, CO, with $325 in his pocket, determined to attend Colorado A&M, which later became Colorado State University. While a student at the A&M, Mr. Schwabe wrestled for the Aggies and received his degree in animal science.
During World War II, he served as a medic in the U.S. Army in the European theater and later returned to Fort Collins, where he met Oletta Lock. The couple married and moved to Penrose. Mr. Schwabe began his 30-year career with American Stores Packing Co. in Pueblo, first shoveling manure in stock pens and eventually attaining the position of meat packing plant manager, overseeing 600 employees.
After retiring from American Stores, Mr. Schwabe and his son, Bill, founded W.H. Schwabe & Associates Inc. real estate. The elder Mr. Schwabe also traveled the nation promoting spuds for CPAC for 12 years.
Active in community affairs, Mr. Schwabe was a member of the local Rotary Club and president of the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce in 1968.
The recipient of lifetime achievement awards from Colorado State University Alumni Association and the Pueblo County 4-H Foundation, Mr. Schwabe was also an elder of Central Christian Church.
Born June 26, 1924, in Tulsa, OK, to George and Jeanette Schwabe, Mr. Schwabe is survived by his wife of 60 years, Oletta Schwabe, as well as children Willetta Doherty, Georgia Hock, Bill Schwabe and Melanie Northup. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mr. Schwabe's brother, John, and sister, Emily Bailey, survive as well. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Barbara Schwabe, brothers George and Bob Schwabe, brother-in-law Clayton Bailey and son-in-law Ben Doherty.
According to CPAC Board Chairman Tom Ford, Mr. Schwabe was respected for his contributions to the potato industry during his period as "man on the road" for the committee in the 1980s.
"Bill visited retailers for us, promoting our potatoes. He was very personable and very good at what he did," Mr. Ford said.
CPAC member Jim Tonso concurred, saying, "Bill and Carl Shock did an excellent job for us. Bill was a most pleasant man, and he helped us a lot at our restaurant show in Denver."
Mr. Tonso continued, "He covered the entire southern United States, from Arizona to the East Coast, and he did a terrific job in helping the San Luis Valley grow. I was exceptionally happy with what he and Carl did for us."
After graduating from Tulsa [OK] Central High School, where he was active in the Eagle Scouts, Mr. Schwabe hitchhiked to Fort Collins, CO, with $325 in his pocket, determined to attend Colorado A&M, which later became Colorado State University. While a student at the A&M, Mr. Schwabe wrestled for the Aggies and received his degree in animal science.
During World War II, he served as a medic in the U.S. Army in the European theater and later returned to Fort Collins, where he met Oletta Lock. The couple married and moved to Penrose. Mr. Schwabe began his 30-year career with American Stores Packing Co. in Pueblo, first shoveling manure in stock pens and eventually attaining the position of meat packing plant manager, overseeing 600 employees.
After retiring from American Stores, Mr. Schwabe and his son, Bill, founded W.H. Schwabe & Associates Inc. real estate. The elder Mr. Schwabe also traveled the nation promoting spuds for CPAC for 12 years.
Active in community affairs, Mr. Schwabe was a member of the local Rotary Club and president of the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce in 1968.
The recipient of lifetime achievement awards from Colorado State University Alumni Association and the Pueblo County 4-H Foundation, Mr. Schwabe was also an elder of Central Christian Church.
Born June 26, 1924, in Tulsa, OK, to George and Jeanette Schwabe, Mr. Schwabe is survived by his wife of 60 years, Oletta Schwabe, as well as children Willetta Doherty, Georgia Hock, Bill Schwabe and Melanie Northup. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mr. Schwabe's brother, John, and sister, Emily Bailey, survive as well. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Barbara Schwabe, brothers George and Bob Schwabe, brother-in-law Clayton Bailey and son-in-law Ben Doherty.
